Wind Song Journal

Sorry it has been so long since I have last posted! Things have been going well on the health front. I have gained three pounds, and I am up to a hefty 82! My last check-up revealed my lung function is somewhat stable, with a PFT score of 57% of normal lung capacity. I am really looking forward to the upcoming Transplant Games and seeing my family!, – Stacey, from Belmont

It has been a good week. On Friday, I joined Clare and Isa at the track. We had a great time practicing sprints and the long jump. Isa did a personal record of 9’1″. Last weekend I went to the Pet Parade with Isa. She dressed her dog Rupie up like a doctor. It was very cute. We also volunteered at an art exhibit called the Breathing Room, at the Root Division Gallery in San Francisco. It is a moving show of photography and poetry about living with Cystic Fibrosis. Check out the website, www.breathingroom.org You can also view the TRIO newsletter that I edit by going to www.bayareatrio.org. Stacey, from Belmont

I had a fun breakfast with Mary, ten drove to Stanford for a blood draw. After the blood draw at the hospital today, I went to badminton practice. We worked on long serves. Later tonight I will climb with some friends at the gym. Stacey, from Belmont

Mary, I guess I do like to set records. If I get specific, I can make some good ones up. (Best climb in the Bay Area by a double-lung patient whose name is Stacey.) Trying to enjoy life and not think about longetivity. I’ve learned that life is unpredictable. Honestly, I’ve had a lot of dreams broken in the last couple years. I do feel sad and discouraged sometimes, and it’s hard to write about that in the journal. I want to be strong, and I don’t want to admit my weaknesses or ruin other people’s hope. But now that I am getting stronger and living more normally I am getting ready to make up some new goals. And I take life as it comes. One thing to be grateful for and look forward to is the Transplant Games. I am now making plans to go and meet my family and friends in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to badminton, I am entering a swimming relay, and will be doing the backstroke for 50m. I am also starting a summer internship with the City of San Mateo today. I will learn about some new mapping technology. Stacey, from Belmont

Felix and Mary, thanks for writing! I am excited about being able to do 5.11’s, although I still have trouble with the overhanging climbs. To make myself feel good, I do balancy 5.11’s! I have also been swimming at the Pacific Athletic Club. I am up to 20 laps, resting after each one. Since I am going to enter the swimming relay, I am going to start practicing 50m laps, since that is what I am going to do in the relay. I have also been practicing track and field with Isa and Ana. We went to the track on Saturday and she ran circles around me. It was a very cheerful and inspirational experience to watch how strong and healthy she is becoming! But we are pretty even when it comes to 100m sprints. I cannot run very fast compared to before I got sick. When I run, it feels like slow motion. But I am definitely running. It feels good to be able to run, even if it is only a short distance. I have also had to go the hospital quite often to get blood draws. I am getting used to getting stuck with the big needle. The technician reminded me that it hurts more when you watch, but I like watching the needle go in. While I was walking around the hospital, I ran into another transplant patient named Mary. I found out that she is a heart-double lung transplant patient and she has survived for 15 years. That is almost the record that I have heard of for a lung transplant recipient. She seemed healthy, but she has to come to the hospital twice a day for IV treatments. She gets attached to one of those IV poles for a couple hours. Stacey, from Belmont